I HAVE A CHEVY MALIBU 2018 AND I COMMUTE TO WORK 5 DAYS A WEEK 1 1/2 HOURS EACH WAY. DURING MY COMMUTE WITHOUT WARNING, A LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED", THE ENGINE LIGHT, AS WELL AS THE CAR SLIPPERY ROAD SIGN. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT MEARLE STONE CHEVROLET IN HOPES THIS KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE 2018 MODELS GETS FIXED WITHOUT PAYING OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES SINCE THERE HAS BEEN A …
2018 chevrolet Malibu engine problems
moderate 91 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
91
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT WILL LOSE PROPULSION AND POWER. AT ONE POINT IT ALMOST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK THE CAR FOR INSPECTION TO CHEVROLET DEALER BUT I WAS TOLD THEY WILL TAKE WEEKS TO FIND THE EXACT ISSUE. IT ALSO HAS A SAFETY RECALL WHICH WASN'T PERFORMED DURING MY APPOINTMENT. I WAS TOLD TO COME BACK IF I SEE ENGINE LIGHT WITHOUT IT THEY CAN'T DO MUCH. I USE MY CAR EVERY D…
WHILE DRIVING, THE MESSAGE 'ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED' APPEARED. MY CAR SLOWED DOWN AND I HAD TO PRESS REALLY HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL TO GET BACK UP TO THE SPEED I WAS AT. IT IS SAID TO BE A DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON IN MANY OF THE 2016-2018 CHEVY MALIBU'S. *BF
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2018 chevrolet Malibu?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 91 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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